at Ace Hardware in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States
Job Description
The Job
The Learning Consultant will have a passion for helping others achieve operational and development store goals through facilitating classroom, in-store and virtual training to Retailers, Store Leaders, and their teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in learning and development, dynamic facilitation both virtually and in person, as well as experience in the retail industry. This position will be the certified to teach and market all of the instructor-led classes to drive overall store performance for our Ace Hardware store teams.
The Learning Consultant assesses retailer needs, develops strategies, and influences Retailers to invest and participate in development classes and workshops. This is a hybrid position with 20%-30% travel.
What you’ll do:
+ Delivery and Facilitation – Facilitates management development and operations sessions to Ace store owners, managers and associates via classroom learning and blended virtual training methods to drive retailer business results. Conducts training that motivates, builds competencies, and improves individual’s performance and contributions to their store results. Clearly explaining complex concepts and make the training engaging and interactive.
+ Markets Virtual and in person classroom sessions- Markets and Communicates all upcoming sessions to ensure classes are being utilized by retailers and attendee levels are maximized. Influence Regional field teams to identify and encourage retailers to attend sessions which would be of benefit to them.
+ Technology Integration: Implement and utilize learning management systems and other relevant technologies to support training delivery and evaluation.
+ Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with team members to identify opportunities for improvement, refine existing training programs, and stay up to date on best practices in retail training.
+ Subject Matter Expert on Training – Provides input and serves as a subject matter expert on training standards, content, and practices to help the Retail Training Curriculum team better understand the Field’s learning needs and ensures all sessions are relevant and an up to date. May update some content as needed.
+ Reports Training Effectiveness – Provides regular feedback on the training being conducted along with insights and feedback regarding the successes and opportunities to drive continuous improvement.
+ Serves as an operations expert – Expert and consultant on Ace’s standards, management tools, and training systems to maximize operational excellence. Stays current on operational standards, procedures, and resources to enhance ability to provide leadership and maximize business results.
+ Builds Solid Relationships – Creates a partnership between Retail Ops, Retailers, Store Managers, and Training Consultants, that stimulates transfer of training, return on training investment, and improves store results. Coaches people on how to measure and improve training results, and how to appropriately diagnose problems and create actions/behaviors that solve them.
Knowledge, Experience, and Competencies:
Experience and Technical Requirements:
+ B.A / B.S in Business, Education, Communications, or related field
+ 4-7 years Retail Operations Training Delivery and Consulting
+ Ability to work remotely with various corporate departments
+ Strong knowledge of operational aspects of a retail store, through direct experience
+ Strong facilitation/presentation skills. Ability to deliver training in a classroom, store, or virtual setting
+ Ability to consult, think outside the box, influence and coach adult learners
+ Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and E-learning development tools and software (Survey Monkey, Slido, Zoom)
+ Ability to develop and maintain positive business relationships and foster an environment of mutual respect, understanding, and support
+ Able to foster teamwork and collaboration. Can motivate others both internal and external to perform enthusiastically
+ Strong ability to convey clear, concise information in verbal, written, electronic, and other communication formats as well as attention to detail and follow-up; and can demonstrate active listening while engaging others
+ Ability to anticipate and respond to the needs of stakeholders (e.g., internal and external customers, etc.) in a timely manner
+ Ability to prioritize assignments and projects in an efficient and timely manner, strong organization and time management skills
+ Self-managing, self-motivating, open minded; comfortable working with an off-site manager
+ Skilled in negotiations and conflict resolution. Ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses and coach accordingly
+ Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
+ Ability to travel 20-30% of the time
Compensation Details:
$98400- $123000 per year
Why should you join our team?
We live our values – W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.
In addition to providing our employees a great culture, Ace also offers competitive benefits* that address life’s necessities and perks, many of which expand and improve year after year, including:
+ Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (rapid company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!)
+ Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution (once eligibility requirements have been met). Over the past 5 years, company contributions (matching, quarterly & discretionary) for fully eligible employees have averaged 9.6% of total eligible compensation
+ Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision and disability – up to 26 weeks short-term disability and long-term disability) & life insurance benefits for you and your dependents
+ 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire
+ Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions
+ Your career at Ace is more than just a job. It’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. We help locally-owned businesses thrive and make an impact in their communities – and we support our employees in doing the same by offering an annual Ace Cares Week, 20 hours off work per year to volunteer at an organization of your choice, opportunities to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Ace Helpful Fund through the Ace Foundation
+ Ace invests in every employee we hire, with a key focus on development and coaching. We offer on-site classes, facilitator-led courses, and a generous tuition assistance program, plus a performance management approach that goes beyond the typical annual review
+ We know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales
+ We bring them to you! Services such as mobile spas, auto maintenance, car wash and detailing, dry cleaning, dentists, eye doctors, flu shots, recycling and more!
+ Employee discounts on Ace merchandise (including top brands like Weber, Traeger, Yeti, Craftsman, DeWalt and more), travel, fitness, computers and thousands more
+ Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off
+ Adoption cost reimbursement
+ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainmen
